My Feral Heart – Review
By Ken Ross (Vice-Chair and trustee at Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, producer, award-winning filmmaker, BAFTA Accessibility & Inclusion Patron)
My Feral Heart has already won fourteen international film awards, with Steven Brandon winning Best Actor at the National Film Awards, beating Daniel Radcliffe, Eddie Redmayne and Michael Fassbender, no less!
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espite being born with a serious cardiac problem comparing circumstances and outcomes as they are intrinhe much-anticipated terrestrial screeningopen-heart of My that necessitated surgery at three entwined. Feral Heart finally happened onold, BBC4 on 18 March months Oliver has spent his sically life blasting all Beautifully directed by Jane Gull and skilfully writ2021, to coincide with Down Syndrome Awareness into oblivion. predictions and expectations ten by Duncan Week. It is available watch onafter BBChis iPlayer He wastoso poorly birthuntil that it was thought he Paveling, My Feral Heart has been pivotal in my own journey back into producing films and sharing the March 2022. Don’t miss it! might not survive long enough to reach his date for cardiac abilities of people with Down syndrome to a much wider Although the film has already been around for four surgery. After sailing through that first challenge, though, audience. Iand was lucky enough to catch up with Duncan and years, this propulsion Oliver into the mainstream, having been other conditions then took on the numerous talk about what had inspired him to make this film; he says: largely viewed on SKYissues wherehe it was was assessed a 5-star rated film and as having and continued to surprise “I started volunteering for Mencap from the age of fouras a record-breaking “cinema on demand” release, means medics and educational professionals with his progress teen, and eventually moved into working with children and that a much larger audience thebarriers disability commudespitebeyond the many placed in his way. adults with learning disabilities. I met many people with nity are finally getting involved. At the Down syndrome, but one boy in parThe well-deserved hype time of writticular, who I worked with for several around the film has largely been ing this article years, really stayed in my mind, and driven by Mark Kermode (chief2021, film in March I wanted to make some of this story critic for the Observer), who rated Oliver is about him. So many scenes came to it as one of the most twenty-four influential mind from Hills direct experience, but primarily I didn’t want to films of the decade. years old and lives with his family in the Blackdown make a “courtroom drama” about abuse, I wanted to tell a The film opens on with a Somerset/Devon scene of home life, whereHe enjoys the border. an interesting, story about Luke, a man with Down syndrome (played by Stephen fulfilling, and enjoyable life and is extremely proud of loss. all hisAbout twenty-five years ago, I saw a film called Le huitième Jour (The Eighth Day) starring Pascal Brandon), is quietly getting on with everyday life: shaving, achievements. Duquenne, an actor with Down syndrome, and I thought, preparing breakfast for his mother Joan (played by the late Oliver’s biological father left when Oliver was six why not have an actor with Down syndrome as a lead role Eileen Pollock) and shopping. years old and chose to have no further contact with Oliver infor a film. The When Joan dieswhen in herhe sleep, Luke’syears independence is was seven old. Fortunately Oliver, hefact hadthat Luke has Down syndrome is only mentioned once immediately removedafrom him. It is at this stage of the mum and big sister who were fierce in their encourage- in the script because as I say, this is a story about loss,and it just so happens, that it is Luke’s story, and he film where you can start to and feel enjoyment a real senseof ofthis injustice ment wonderful little person to have coming through and matters slipping out of that control. Al- wouldhappens they were determined nothing ever stand in Down syndrome.” This film serves as a great ambassador to the world though Luke knows exactly what he wants to do followhis way. A few years later, Mike O’Carroll appeared in their on behalf of people with Down syndrome, firmly cementing his mother’s passing, his views are totally ignored, and lives, and his connection with Oliver was instant and a ing their right to be treated equally and to tell their own he is unprepared for what comes next. joy to witness. He became a true father to Oliver in every stories! His life in turmoil, still grieving, he is thrust into a Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association has been home for disabled adults, which is a stark contrast to what proud to present My Feral Heart and hosted the gala we saw him enjoying with Joan. screening for the cast and crew, as well as running a series There are so many questions still unanswered at the of screenings at BAFTA to promote the film to a more end of the film, that for me, meant I had to watch it again diverse audience in the film and TV industry. straightaway. There are clues buried throughout the story that provide some clarity, but fundamentally you are still
I wanted to tell a story about loss.
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